Ludwig Black Beauty Snare Drum - Drummer's Review

Ludwig Black Beauty Snare Drum: As one of the most recorded, and highly regarded, drums ever produced, we took the opportunity to present our thoughts on this much sought after instrument as a reference guide to compare against our other snare drum reviews. Check out more reviews and the latest drum news at: www.drummersreview.com

[@anguse2068]

I have a new one with the new style strainer and matching butt plate. They really are a VAST improvement both mechanically and cosmetically too.

[@alijahkairo966]

You prolly dont give a damn but does anybody know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account..? I somehow lost my password. I would love any help you can give me!

[@archiemilo6023]

@Alijah Kairo Instablaster :)

[@kokainkonni]

Thanks for this detailed and precise review. I play my BB for some years and I could really recognise the unique sound of the lower tuning. This video makes me want to play my snare right away.

[@Cashaway]

You guys deserve more Subscribers. Keep up the great job!

[@andyham6094]

Damnnnn that transition ride sounds so good

[@Loki_FPV666]

I just picked up a new b-stock 5x14 black beauty for $550 at a local music store. Its my first black beauty and I'm in love. I kind of wish I could have gotten a 6.5x14 but they only had the 5x14. It still sounds amazing it just looks a little small compared to my 6.5x14 supraphonic. Between the two I like the bb for higher tunings and the supraphonic for medium and lower tunings. Both killer iconic snares and I wouldn't say one is better than the other just different. As others have mentioned newer bb's and supera's now come with a much better throw off and butt plate.

[@1111Paiste]

Yep! The Ludwig P88AC Throw-Off & Butt-Plate is fantastic.

[@G1LL4-T33N]

the new strainer is much better and has addresed the only gripe i had with it. mine has imperial lugs and die cast hoops. i also have 20 strands puresound custom wires and remo coated emperor on top and hazy ambassador bottom. i play mainly rock, hard rock and prog music with mine. it is 6.5x14 size. i was in cuba last summer with my best friend who is not a musician and we were waiting for our flight at the airport. i was talking to my friend and explaining him what is a Ludwig black beauty snare drum, even though he is not a musician, he likes music a lot. there were 2 very beautiful young black women nearby, like supermodel beautiful. they were looking at us with curiosity and strange face. i realised i had been talking about black beauty for at least 15 minutes. this was funny. i told them the story of the black beauty too. the most incredible black beauty snare drums are the adrian kirchler ak drums black beauty snare drums. they are work of arts and sound very good. but i have heard an original black beauty from the 20's and it sounded better than anything i have ever heard. still the original modern black beauty to me is the ultimate versatile snare drum. all the companies have tried to make a version of it. if there is one snare any drummer should have, the black beauty it is.

[@SionedWillicombe]

Great story. do they hold their tuning with lots of rimshots or do you constantly have to re-tune? cheers

[@betulaobscura]

Ludwig snares are legendary and imperial lug has the best looking design ever!

[@legendrecordingstudio]

How are you guys tuning the bottom head? Sounds great

[@dalesdrumchannelzero1802]

My favorite touring snare. Absolutely loves microphones. As great live as in the studio.

[@joethefoeyo]

Was not expecting Nolly! First time watching this channel .

[@allviewcinemaphotography]

same

[@russellcrawford7453]

I purchased mine at the Salvation Army in Dallas Texas in the mid-90s. I was just being nice talkin to a one-armed man and something kept bumping against my foot oh, I looked down and there was a black beauty for $30 plus tax. Didn't even see it when I approached the one-armed guy. All I am saying is sometimes it pays to be a nice person with a good motive! I put a black suede head and black strainer. Thank you God

[@markjacksonmusic21]

Just got a B stock BB yesterday. What frequency did you use for the high tuning. Really liked that one! Thank you!

[@PeartDisicple481]

Did you do a review on Omar Hakeem’s anniversary snare drum

[@harryc5855]

Just installed the new Ludwig P-88AC Throw-off...it is butter smooth, really nice. (About $43.00)

[@SheldonKreger]

Switched the strainer out on my Supra, as well. Can't believe how bad it was! The drum sure sounds great though.

[@MaxDeVincenzo]

You guys should review Welch Tuning Systems!

[@1111Paiste]

It's better to look B-stock BBs as they are brand new with only minor blemishes on them. The BB I recently purchased from Reverb came with a Ludwig P88AC Throw-Off & Butt-Plate--a far superior throw-off for sure.

[@davidsuprenant893]

My personal view,they had there hayday.ludwig sold a lot of them.people either love them or they dont. Coming from someone who has about 50 years under there belt the new drums of today blow them away.Not just in the sound but the quality.The drum that always come to mind is pearl sensitone black over brass. Excellent drum,great sound,beautiful fit and finish and dam near 1/2 the price.so I ask you fine people,is it the Ludwig badge,is it because it's in a lot of studios,because it was recorded a lot in the 60s_late 80s.? I just can't figure out with all the modern day snares why anyone would lay out that kind of money for such an outdated drum. THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF BEAUTIFUL SNARES OUT THERE PEOPLE,YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK THEM OUT. Just my opinion.!!! You are entitled to yours as well. KEEP ON DRUMMING.

[@Speshoholic]

aint nothing like the real thing baby! and snares don't get outdated, playing does.

[@gregpeller1499]

"Nolly is great and informs us properly! Thank you for fantastic videos with great sound quality and a drummer who knows how to properly bring out the very best from the equipment! However, I look exactly like the drum demonstrator....except his snarl hints a feeling he at one time guarded Buckingham Palace.....😏

[@I_ROT_WITHIN]

What tuning is his snare?

[@ilovemusicsomuch]

You’ve got a GREAT feel to your playing, Dude! Bravo!!

[@SasaPetkovic_Bubnjar_Drummer]

Excellent review. Totally agree with all said, especially about the strainer which is a disgrace. More than once it happened to me during a gig that I can't switch the snares back on with one hand (the other one playing a cymbal at the time). This really shouldn't be happening on an instrument in this price range. Btw, I bought mine from Memphis Drum Shop for $ 750 back in the day.

[@williamrice1955]

A drop of oil on that strainer immediately fixes it. My main issues with the drum is the lack of a built in muffler, and the stupid rubber gaskets under the lugs. These are unnecessary and should be removed.

[@brianfieldsdrums3220]

@@williamrice1955 I'll second you on the drop of oil. Never had a problem with being able to turn the snares on or off smoothly on a P85. Not being able to keep the fine tension adjustment in place is my only grip with the thow off. The new P88AC is a huge improvement overall.

[@rubytuesday1345]

Bought one in the mid 80s for £100 from Gary Fletcher. Sold it in the early 1990s and always regretted it. Have many great snares but would love that one back.

[@roybeckerman9253]

What snare is the best copy ?

[@aaronatz9619]

The P88 changed the game with the BB!!

[@andyman2462]

My dream snare.

[@oxidinstruments]

Gotta love the honesty about the downsides when speaking about such an iconic drum people love and praise.

[@roybeckerman9253]

Is it really worth the significant extra price, compared to the Supraphonic... Also, double the price of the Ludwig Black Magic..

[@gentrybellus3469]

It’s not really all that fair when you have a fantastic drummer. The guy has the touch to make anything sound good :)

[@davidmartin6959]

the sound is equalized compressed etc ...

[@levirock]

What drum head is that?

[@Moodachris]

Remo Controlled Sound Reverse Dot

[@richboshart1201]

Good review as always Nollie. Agree with the chincy strainer. Ludwig doesn’t seem to care. I respectfully disagree with your "well made" comment, however. Let’s see what those cheap pot metal lugs will look like in 10 years. Ludwig’s quality control is renown. This drum reached iconic status because back in the day (1970s studio scene), drummers had far fewer options available to them. The Black Beauty indeed stood out against its competitors and a legend was born. For the money Ludwig is charging, I’ll stick with my Joyful Noise TKO, which I’d love to see you review.

[@M123OCT]

Correct! All the stuff about BB build quality is such crap. I have one, and I love it (the sound), but compared to every other snare I have, it's the poorest quality of the lot. For example, compared to the DW Collector's BNOB, the Ludwig's black finish is incredibly delicate - you just have to breathe on it and it scratches. God, even the little paper label on the inside of the shell is squint, a sure sign of a company that doesn't care about finish. Ludwig is trading on the drum's 'legendary' - almost mythical - status, and they are now stupidly overpriced.

[@andyham6094]

Agreed. I bought one cause people raves about them and I was not that impressed and wasn’t that well made. I have a tama SLP black brass and a tama starphonic brass and much prefer both of those. Even tho the black beauty was the first and a lot of people complain and say all these black nickel brass snare drums from all these companies are imitators but honestly the modern stuff is just better. I would choose the the tama slp black brass or starphonic brass over this drum any day and Ludwig charges too much for this snare. Plus the tama slp black brass looks way better with the starclassic lugs. I’m just not a fan of the aesthetics of the black beauty. Maybe back in the day but not today’s standards. My dream snare is the tama bell brass tho. To me that is the king of all snares. I played on one for like 5 minutes and it was just incredible. Super loud and amazinggggg crack and rebound at any tuning but also the most sensitive to any touch of the stick but I’m not dropping 2,000 dollars on a snare drum. Lol

[@jpainter78]

I owned the BB and the DW BNOB and when played side by side, I could not tell a difference. Sold the BB on eBay.

[@kapalin846]

I just ditched the p85 for the millennium.

[@gentrybellus3469]

The first 14 seconds of THIS video is exactly why I sprung for a 6 1/2 x 14 Ludwig Black Beauty. And I’ll never sell it.

[@roybeckerman9253]

Personally, I still prefer the Supraphonic and Ludwig bronze.

[@timcline161]

Got demo BB 5" hammered, tube, P-70. A couple weeks later found an early serial# Acrolite on ebay with original hard case for $75. Cdn. Love the sound of both. However, Within only a couple days I found it hard to admit to myself that I actually preferred playing Acro over BB. That having Acro I didn't need BB. Compared to my 30yr old Pearl free-floating 5" steel, which has been mercilessly beaten ad infinitum since mid 1980's, and has stood up faultlessly, the BB seems delicate, even fragile. A drum should never be weak, fragile, delicate. Now, I've kept the BB. But baby it. My next snare? Tama 7"Tamo ash SLP

[@drummingdog5706]

Wobbly, wonky? Ive experienced neither. It tunes up fine and the strainer, altho not the best does the job.

[@sibisiebertthehexagonguy2868]

My 30yr old Black Beauty is still No 1....

[@Monsterdrumma]

Weird that everyone is complaining so much about Ludwig snares. Yes their strainers are not great however I just have 6.5 supralite that sounds absolutely incredible and that is a lower level drum from them. My point is Ludwig snares have a soft feel you only get with Ludwig and imo I think they make the best sounding steel snare drums that most all other companies have tried to copy. Like he said I find them used like my recent 5" supraphonic that was physically destroyed but my God does it sound perfect and cost just over $100.00's.

[@HR2635]

or maybe.. they are frustrated by paying top dollar and getting the worst quality hardware in the industy.. the best sound yeah.. thats the shell.. but with that hardware it should cost 200$ less.

[@Monsterdrumma]

HR2635 Yeah I get that, their throw off does suck. Hell man I have the supralite and it sounds like a million bucks and it was under $200.00. I actually got a one of deal of $155.00's new and the cheap throw has worked just fine which is funny considering the expensive Ludwig's have the strainer problems. I mean unless you need brass I like the supralite better then the supraphonic.

[@roybeckerman7843]

Personally, I prefer the PEARL REFERENCE BRASS…. It’s magic…and much less expensive..

[@timcline2799]

Nolly nails it. Strainer. I own BB 5” hammered, tubes, p-70. Mistake. Plan to sell it. Can’t retrofit p-70. I should’ve gone 6.5” millennium or p-85 strainer. Trick 007 will fit it.

[@jeffryseitz9699]

Around $750 American dollars.

[@ronniek7748]

For me, the drum sounded choked at the high tuning. Medium high would be bad ass.

[@marshallh1365]

The Dunnett 2n brass is built better and you don’t have to change the heads or wires. I have the 6.5 and 8.0 BB. Ludwig has overpriced these drums. Btw you can get a 2n starting at $699. BB are around $800 +.

[@klauth_Yksyn]

Dunnett snares are Ludwig RIP offs and their throw offs are crap, and dont last.

[@toddcapiton6285]

Lol Dunnett is on another level. Design is much different and def not a ripoff of Ludwig. I’d take one over a bb any day. Especially his titanium drum. Unreal, lots of creative ideas and innovation come from this guy. They need to review some on here!

[@carradean]

Don't do an over-analysis of this amazing straight forward drum ay guys.

[@caspermaster-com]

To much sub in kick lol

[@HR2635]

have one.. strainer broke after 1 year.. replaced it with a Dunnet.. perfect.. lugs?.. pitted after 2 year.. very poor quality.. even the shell is not perfect anymore.. luckily the sound is OUT OF THIS world.. best brass snare ever made.

[@zenoncastro1809]

HR2635 you’re the only person I’ve ever come across to have these issues

[@HR2635]

what?.. ringy sounding snare??.. My is dry as no other brass snare I ever heard.. and I have owned and own quite a few!

[@lt.frankdrebin3317]

Quit the charades and just get a Pearl Sensitone.

[@MaguSdelFiasco]

One grand for a snare drum that has sh*t strainer. Lol

[@lt.frankdrebin3317]

Weak @ss cross-stick sound.

[@rogerbrichacek3140]

You have it tuned like a tin can. I have a 39 dollar piccolo that sounds better than that. I own a Coliseum that sounds extremely better than that.

[@toddcapiton6285]

Wtf you talking about? You never tuned a drum high? And all 3 sounds were killer.

[@fab5720]

Nothing to complain about the built quality? You must be joking. Ludwig is widely known for its "more than average" ... well... crap built quality. Over and over again, the snares have badly made welds, uneven colouring and bad chroming, shells are even at times terribly uneven. And then there is that lousy strainer that they use(d) for eons. They don't even ship the snare with decent snarewires, which is absolutely unacceptable. One more review that shows that you guys cannot be taken serious. Sorry to say so.

[@HR2635]

correction: some of Ludwigs snare drums have no welds.. Supras, SS and BB.. black magic and others have welds.. but yeah.. not the BB, which is the industry standard for spunn brass snare drums...the strainer is not good..not in my experience.... the strainer is WAY below par!.. its one of the worst strainers in the industry.. mine broke after 1 year!.. luckily Dunnet make quality strainers that fit.. the snare wires are .. well.. usable.. but not great.. I would never buy a ludwig snare wire.. I use top quality high carbon steel ones.. sounds way better... oh and the lugs started to pit after 3 years.. the only snare drum of mine that ever did that.. the shell however sounds better than most other brass snare drums.. although I use my Spizzichino Brass more in the studio.

[@dropbearattack]

William Fotio My Tama Powerline kills it side by side. Not my oppinion, just the fans, audience and sound engineers.

[@dropbearattack]

William Fotiou, that would necceassarily include you.

[@dropbearattack]

William Fotiou You're welcome, it comes with a free sandwich board.